Mobile commerce in the Middle East is growing at record speed, and shoppers now expect brands to meet them where they spend most of their time: on mobile apps.
For Zid merchants, this creates a huge opportunity. An app gives your store a permanent home on your customers’ phones, complete with push notifications, faster checkout, and a shopping experience that feels native and seamless.
The best part? You don’t need to rebuild your store or manage two separate platforms.
With the right approach, your existing Zid site can be turned into fully functional iOS and Android apps in just a few weeks, perfectly synced with your website from day one. Read on and we’ll show you how.
Why Your Zid Store Needs a Mobile App
Shoppers in the GCC and wider MENA region are mobile-first.
Research shows that more than 70% of ecommerce traffic in the region now comes from smartphones, with mobile apps consistently outperforming mobile websites in terms of engagement and revenue.
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Customers who install your app are more likely to buy again, spend more per order, and interact with your brand regularly.
The biggest advantage is push notifications. Unlike email or SMS, push gives you a direct channel to your customers’ home screens.
Whether it’s a flash sale, new product launch, or an abandoned cart reminder, push notifications drive instant re-engagement at almost zero cost.
Combined with smoother checkout flows and secure local payment options like Apple Pay, mada, and STC Pay, a mobile app creates a faster, stickier, and more profitable shopping experience than relying on the mobile browser alone.
Can You Make a Zid Site an App?
As a Zid merchant, you have several options to launch a mobile app, but not all of them are created equal. The key question is whether you want to rebuild everything from scratch, rely on a basic DIY template, or leverage your existing Zid site as the foundation.
At a high level, you can choose from three paths:
- Custom native development: building an iOS and Android app with developers coding everything separately.
- DIY app builders: template-based tools that create simple apps with limited flexibility.
- MobiLoud’s managed solution: a service that transforms your existing Zid store into a fully native app experience, while keeping everything in sync automatically.
Each method comes with trade-offs in cost, speed, and complexity. In the next section, we’ll break down these three options so you can see which makes the most sense for your business.
Three Zid Mobile App Development Methods
When it comes to turning your Zid store into a mobile app, you really have three main routes. Each one can get you into the App Store and Google Play, but the experience, cost, and long-term viability are very different.
1. Custom Native Development
This is the traditional way to build apps: hiring developers or an agency to create iOS and Android apps in Swift and Kotlin.
You’ll have total control over the design and functionality, but it comes with steep costs, long timelines, and ongoing maintenance.
Every change on your Zid site would need to be replicated in your app, meaning double the work and constant technical involvement.
Summary: powerful but expensive, slow, and impractical for most Zid merchants.
2. DIY App Builders
Some template-based app builders, including those connected through Zid’s ecosystem, promise an easy way to launch apps without coding.
While these can be inexpensive, the trade-offs are limited customization, generic user experiences, and the need to manage content separately from your main store.
As your brand grows, these limitations become clear, especially if you rely on custom integrations or advanced marketing tools in Zid.
Summary: quick to start, but limiting and not built for long-term growth.
3. MobiLoud (Web-to-App, Fully Managed)
MobiLoud takes a different approach, which requires less work (and actually offers a better user experience in the end).
Instead of rebuilding or duplicating your Zid store, we convert it directly into iOS and Android apps.
Your entire site — products, checkout, design, custom code — is mirrored in the app, with added native features like push notifications, app navigation, and App Store compliance.
Our team handles the build, testing, and publishing, so you get a professional, fully functional app without the technical headaches.
Summary: the fastest, most reliable, and most cost-effective way to launch a Zid mobile app.
Why MobiLoud is the Best for Zid App Development
For Zid merchants, MobiLoud is the simplest and most effective way to launch a mobile app.
Unlike custom development or DIY builders, our solution is designed to give you the benefits of a native app without the extra work.
Your store powers the app directly, so every product, integration, and checkout flow stays in sync automatically.
The real advantage is in speed and service. With MobiLoud, you can go live on the App Store and Google Play in as little as 4 weeks.
Our team handles the entire process, from app configuration and QA to App Store submission and long-term maintenance. That means no hiring developers, no separate platform to manage, and no surprises with hidden costs.
Zid merchants who choose MobiLoud gain:
- A polished app that mirrors their store perfectly, with added native navigation and push notifications.
- Zero duplication of effort — update your Zid site once, and your app updates instantly.
- A done-for-you service that removes all technical barriers and ensures compliance with Apple and Google guidelines.
In short, MobiLoud gives you all the upside of a native app, without the time, cost, and complexity of traditional approaches.
It’s the best choice for brands in the GCC and MENA, who need to provide a great user experience for their app-first customers, without a huge investment in custom development.
Just see how Kuwait brands Pharmazone and NumberC did it.
Both these brands turned their mobile-optimized stores into mobile apps in a matter of weeks, finding immediate adoption – with NumberC now generating 20-30% of their total revenue through the app, and Pharmazone seeing nearly two-thirds (63%) of online revenue from the app.
Want to see what’s possible? Get a free preview of your app now.
Converting Zid to Mobile App: How the Process Works
Launching an app with MobiLoud is designed to be fast, simple, and completely managed for you. Instead of a long development project, we follow a clear, streamlined process that gets your app live in weeks, not months.
Here’s what the journey looks like:
- Kickoff & Setup: We start with a short onboarding call where you share your Zid store URL, brand assets, and app preferences. Our team sets everything up behind the scenes.
- App Configuration: We configure the app to match your site’s design and flows, while adding native elements like navigation tabs, splash screens, and settings.
- Testing & Preview: You receive a working preview of your iOS and Android apps to test on your own devices. This is your chance to experience the app just like your customers will.
- QA & Store Submission: Our team conducts quality assurance, prepares all necessary screenshots and descriptions, and handles submission to the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Launch & Growth: Once live, we help you roll out the app to your audience, enable push notifications, and advise on promotion to maximize downloads and revenue.
With this process, Zid merchants can have a professional mobile app live in as little as 4 weeks, with no technical work required on your side.
Zid Mobile App Features & Capabilities
With MobiLoud, your app isn’t a stripped-down version of your Zid store. It’s your full store, optimized for iOS and Android with a native feel. Everything your site does today will work in your app, with added native functionality to make the shopping experience faster and more engaging.
Core features include:
- Push Notifications: Send abandoned cart reminders, product launch alerts, and promotional campaigns directly to your customers’ home screens.
- Seamless Checkout: Support for local payment options like Apple Pay, mada, and STC Pay, carried over automatically from your Zid store’s existing integrations.
- User Accounts & Authentication: Shoppers can log in and manage their accounts exactly as they do on your website.
- Native Navigation & Tabs: Give customers a true app experience with intuitive menus, bottom tabs, and smooth navigation.
- Full Store Functionality: All your Zid features, integrations, and custom code run in-app without extra setup or duplication.
- App Store Compliance: We handle all requirements from Apple and Google, so your app passes review and stays up to date.
Because the app is powered directly by your Zid site, updates happen automatically. Change your product catalog, run a sale, or update your theme, and your app reflects it instantly without extra work.
Zid Mobile App FAQs
How long does it take to launch a Zid app with MobiLoud?
Most Zid merchants go live within 4 weeks. The exact timeline depends on App Store and Google Play review, but the setup and build process is fast and fully managed.
Do I need developers or technical work to make this happen?
No. You don’t need to write code or manage APIs. MobiLoud handles the entire process, from app build and configuration to publishing and ongoing updates.
Will all my Zid features and integrations work in the app?
Yes. Your app mirrors your website, so everything — from product catalogs to payment gateways and custom code — works seamlessly.
What about payments in Saudi Arabia?
If your Zid checkout already supports Apple Pay, mada, or STC Pay through gateways like Tap or Moyasar, these payment methods will work in your app as well.
How do push notifications work?
We integrate push notification tools so you can send campaigns for abandoned carts, win-backs, promotions, or product launches. Our team can also guide you on strategy to get the best results.
What results should I expect?
On average, ecommerce apps generate higher repeat purchase rates, bigger order values, and stronger engagement compared to mobile web. Many brands see their apps contributing 20–30% of total online revenue within the first year.
Who handles App Store and Google Play compliance?
We do. MobiLoud manages the full submission process, prepares the required assets, and handles any feedback from Apple and Google reviewers.
Get a Free Preview of Your Zid App
The best way to see the power of a mobile app for your Zid store is to experience it yourself. With MobiLoud, you can get a free, no-obligation preview of your store running as a real iOS and Android app.
We’ll configure the app for you, send you a working build to test on your own phone, and walk you through how launch and growth will look. If you like what you see, we’ll handle the entire process from setup to App Store approval, all within weeks, not months.
See your Zid store as a native app today. Get your free preview and discover how easy it is to launch.
